Day 5: Ten Thousand Reasons

The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes

When we were here last year we had an unexpected break in our schedule. Our translator and friend, Anita, asked if we could visit a small orphanage on the outskirts of the city. She had found out about the orphanage when the daughter of a woman from her church had run away and ended up at this orphanage. She said that they had never had visitors so the children would enjoy the company. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. We didn’t know much about the orphanage or what to prepare for. Come to find out, there was no way to prepare us.

When we arrived at the orphanage the director insisted we meet in her office so we could hear more about the program. As we met, we could hear the children’s voices coming from the top of the concrete, open-air staircase. Within a few minutes, we could then hear feet quietly coming down the stairs. No longer able to contain their excitement, we saw a few faces peering into the office. Grinning, the director said, “I think the children cannot wait any longer. Let’s go upstairs.” We entered a room that was probably 15 X 15 feet with 32 children lined up sitting neatly in tight rows, boys on one side, girls on the other. As we entered the room they all stood up in unison and chanted, “Good afternoon Auntie!”

We spent the next two hours reading bible stories and working on some craft projects we had brought. Kay decided to sing a few songs. To our amazement they knew every worship song we sang.

One boy asked, “Do you know ‘Ten Thousand Reasons'”?

“Ummm, sure…but how do you know it?”

“Ma’am taught us!” (referring to the director)

We spent the next two hours singing song after song. These kids not only knew a ton of worship songs but they knew all of the bible stories we could spring on them! They LOVED music but more importantly, were being taught about Jesus!

As we left, we all agreed we HAD to come back here and do some music activities with these kids. So when we were planning this trip we charged Amy and Rachael with planning drum circle (thanks Mallory!) and worship activities that we would do in most of the places we visited. We all looked forward to meeting up with these kids again and having a music day with them!

Funny story/sidebar: On the way to the orphanage, we stopped by KFC for lunch. The girls ordered chicken sandwiches. When they bit into the sandwiches there was definitely something not right. They were not fully cooked and the meat was pink/purple. Rachael took the sandwiches back up to the counter but was told, “It’s okay, these sandwiches are just made with baby birds so that is what it should look like.” Oh, India.

So we arrived at the orphanage excited for an afternoon/evening full of music with the sweetest kids ever. I have no words to describe how amazing our time with them was. We played Minute to Win It games, read bible stories, sang so many songs, had a drum circle/music therapy time, and the girls performed a dance for us. At the end of our time together the older boys presented us with a beautiful drawing they had made of the orphanage and said, “Since last year’s time we had with you all we have been waiting and waiting for you to return. You said you were coming but we were thinking that maybe you would not. But today Ma’am told us you were coming and we were so excited!” I, of course, burst into tears. When I prayed over the kids as we left I thanked God for His annointing on this place and the sweet, sweet spirit.

It truly is a special place.